How does a defibrillator work?
You should continue giving CPR while waiting for a defibrillator to be ready to use.
Before you deliver the shock, make sure no one is touching the person who's about to receive the shock (or their bed).
If you're using an automated external defibrillator (AED), it can review your heart's rhythm to decide if it needs a shock. An AED charges itself and provides verbal instructions on how to use it.
A first responder or healthcare provider will do the following:
◾ Put two defibrillator paddles or sticky pads (connected to the defibrillator) on your chest. One paddle or pad goes below your right shoulder and the other below your left nipple. To prevent burns, conducting material is already in the pads. However, your provider will need to put conducting material on your chest before using paddles.
◾ For sticky pads, push a button on the machine to give the shock. For handheld paddles, push the button on each paddle at the same time.
A defibrillator makes your heart muscle stop moving briefly so your heart can create an electrical impulse that starts a normal rhythm. In essence, defibrillation restarts your heart.
Automated External Defibrillator
(AED)
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a lightweight, portable device.
lt delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart when it detects an abnormal rhythm and changes the rhythm back to normal.
AEDs are available in many public places, such as government buildings schools, airports and other community spaces.
Small, lightweight AEDs are available without a prescription for use at home.
Defibrillator
Defibrillators are devices that apply an electric charge or current to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat. If the heart rhythm stops due to cardiac arrest, also known as sudden cardiac arrest(SCA).a defibrillator may help it start beating again.A sudden cardiac arrest is fatal unless treated right away with CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and a defibrillator.
Benefits: A defibrillator can save your life if it's used for the correct arrhythmia and it's done within 10 minutes after the abnormal rhythm starts.
Risks: A defibrillator needs to be used for ventricular tachycardia (without a pulse) or for ventricular fibrillation. lf you use it for any other kind of arrhythmia, it could give someone ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest.
AED or Defibrillator ?
AED :
🔵 An AED is just one type of defibrillator.
🔵 AED is found in public access settings.
🔵 Used by non-medical personnel.
🔵 Chances are highest if CPR and AED are applied to the patient by a bystander.
🔵 Provide step-by-step instruction.
Defibrillators :
🔵 Manual defibrillators have more capabilities that AEDs do not have.
🔵 Designed for medical professionals.
🔵 Provide more capability to determine the problem with the heart and treat it appropriately
